Depth and rate of chest compressions during CPR impact survival in cardiac arrest

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-02/usmc-dar020515.php

Public Release: 5-Feb-2015
UT Southwestern Medical Center

The depth of chest compressions and the rate at which they were applied make a significant impact on survival and recovery of patients, a review of research by UT Southwestern Medical Center Emergency Medicine physicians shows.

Contrary to popular belief, the reviews showed that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compressions deeper than 5.5 centimeters - about two inches - resulted in decreased survival, possibly because of collateral damage to other internal organs.

Previously, investigations and guidelines indicated that deeper compressions were better. The American Heart Association's 2010 CPR guidelines recommend compressing the chest at least 5 centimeters without providing any upper limit.

"Most people do not recognize that it takes quite a bit of thrust to compress the chest 2 inches," said Dr. Ahamed Idris, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern, who works with the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium. "About 60 lbs. of pressure are required to reach this depth. But in some cases a burly fireman or well-intended volunteer can go way past that amount, which can harm the patient."

Dr. Idris' group also found that the rate at which chest compression was applied was most important. Compression rates of 100 to 120 per minute were optimal for survival when other factors were considered.

•••••